A/N: So umm... Hi. This is my first fic. I hope you enjoy! Reviews are appreciated and I will read and review your stories if you are kind enough to review mine! I am open to any type of reviews! Kind, constructive, flames. Say what you want!

This is all in Jessica's point of view.

Disclaimer: I do not own Professor Layton, but I do won Jessica,

Dedication: I would like to dedicate this story to my late Father, who always believed in magic. RIP Daddy. xx

The Magician's Mansion

Prologue

There it was. Again. The cry of my daughter, Cassidy. I groaned and rolled over, throwing the itchy, cheap sheets off me. Why were babies so loud? And needy! Of course I love Cassidy with all my heart and I would never be able to put her up for adoption, but still, sometimes I couldn't help but wonder whether my life would be easier without her. Even though I'm looked down on completely and treated like some type of disgrace, it's worth it.

Yes, you heard right. It's 1963 and I am an unmarried Mother. At the age of nineteen, I became a Mother and now, at the age of twenty, my baby girl had grown into a small toddler. An adorable one at that too, soft strawberry blonde ringlets, dimples, big gazing green eyes. She looked just like her Father, who unfortunately I have lost contact with. There really was no way I could ever give her away! I found it hard to leave her at the crèche, when I was at university.

Yawning, I rolled out of bed, catching myself by grabbing onto the bedside table, which I'd bought from a car boot sale for two pounds fifty. Cassidy's cot was purchased at a car boot sale too. It needed a good clean and a few nuts and bolts had to be replaced, but other than that it was good. Honestly, it probably had the best quality, when compared to other cots and cradles at flea markets. Though sadly, it was nowhere near as good as merchandise from mothercare and I became green with envy whenever I walked past a shop with baby clothes and furniture.

"What's up with you, eh?" I cooed, reaching into the cot and pulling Cassidy out," I thought we agreed no more midnight feeds?"

Cassidy responded with a soft wail and began pulling my blonde locks of hair. I winced as she attempted to pull a clump of my hair out. It hurt, but it seemed to calm her down. Or distract her. I put her back down in her cot and hummed a self composed lullaby to send her to sleep. Then, once the little girl was back asleep, I too, clambered back into bed and went back to sleep.

I strolled down the corridors of Gressenheller University and into the classroom B13.

"Ah, good to see you were able to join us Miss Wright," Professor Johnson said smugly. He sighed and turned back to the blackboard and carried on writing, the ends of his light brown hair, blew in the wind, which was coming from an open window.

I cringed and hurried to my seat. I wasn't that late was I? Ten minutes tops. However people were sort of staring at me like I'd wasted their time, then again I got that sort of look a lot. Or maybe the class was doing a type of exercise with facial expressions, this was psychology afterall! No, I doubted that was the situation.

I sat down in the horridly, uncomfortable wooden chairs and placed my bag under my chair. Quickly, I scanned the chalkboard for information on today's lesson. Reactions. I grabbed my pencil and scribbled down a few pointers in my exercise book. It should be a simple lesson. I did this topic last year before I had to take an unexpected gap year, due to my daughters arrival.

There was a knock at the door and a young woman entered the classroom. She was wearing white trousers and a green jacket, something I'd most likely have to use most of a months wages on. Her dark brown hair, was shiny and recently washed, something I too currently couldn't do, as my water bill had been neglected for the past two months and I'd now been cut off.

"Yes, Miss Altava," Professor Johnson asked the woman.

"Hello, Professor Johnson, Professor Layton would like to see Miss Jessica Wright," she told him.

"Miss Wright?" Professor Johnson asked, looking up to my seat. His eyes searching the rows like they were looking for a needle in a haystack.

Me? Why did the woman want me? And who was Professor Layton? I didn't have any classes with him, Professor Johnson was my only teacher.

"Yes," I called, nervously, putting my hand, which was shaking like an earthquake, up.

"Would you please come with me, Jessica," the woman instructed.

I picked my bag back up and went over to the woman. She gave me another strange look. Even though she wasn't a student, she probably knew about my life. The teachers probably gossiped about student's life's in the staff room. Nothing's private in University.

I followed the woman through the corridors and down the stairs, into the Humanities department- which was an area of the university, which I had not yet visited. It seemed a lot more dusty, then the science department. Did the cleaners not like it here? I didn't. The atmosphere was too calm and nerve-racking.

The woman stopped at a door which was decorated with a engraved top hat (very classy) and knocked.

"Professor?" the woman called through the door.

"Come in, Emmy," A voice from inside the office said.

"Wait here," she told me, and went inside.

I tried to get a small glimpse of inside, but the woman opened and closed the door so suddenly, it was near impossible. I didn't have to wait long though. A few moments later, the door opened again and an unfamiliar face was there to greet me.

"Come in, Miss Wright," the man said.
The man was wearing a top hat, identical to the one on the door. Only a few strands of sort, chocolate, brown hair were visible, beneath the hat. He seemed very colour co-ordinated. His jacket and trousers matched the colour of his hat and the orange brim around the hat matched his top.

I smiled slightly and went inside. The office bigger than the living room of my flat- which as you can imagine, doesn't make you feel that great. Every corner was filled with piles of books and strange ornaments though, so at least my flat was tidier. A microscope and a rotting apple sat on a desk by the window, along with a pile of papers, held to the desk with a paperweight in the shape of a puzzle piece.

By the desk, sat a boy who looked about nine or ten. He too, had a hat which hid most of his hair, only it was a small blue cap, which also matched his jumper. The woman who had collected me from class stood by a kettle, waiting for it to boil and the man sat down on a dark, green, settee.

"Miss Wright, am I correct?" the man asked me.

"Jessica," I said, quickly,"Well, no, I am Miss Wright, but just call me Jessica."

I spoke fast when I was nervous.

"Very well, Jessica. I am Professor Layton, this is my assistant, Emmy Altava- who I believe you've already been acquainted with and this is my apprentice, Luke Triton," the man introduced.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Layton," I smiled.

"As you. Now Jessica, may I ask you a favour?" Professor Layton asked.

"By all means," I beamed, shaking slightly.

"Now you're a psychology student..." Professor Layton began.

"What's that?" The little boy interrupted his mentor suddenly.

"Now, Luke a gentleman never interrupts," Layton said, very sternly, but seeming to stay kind.

"Sorry, Professor," Luke apologised.

"Anyway, with the help of Emmy and Luke, I solve mysteries and one has came up, which I believe you may be of some assistance too," Professor Layton explained.

"What?" I spluttered. Who was this man? I'd never even heard of him before and all of a sudden he wants my assistance? Why me? What on earth have I done to deserve this recognition? All I was, was an average graded psychology student, with a baby to take care of," I'm sorry, Professor, but I do not quite understand what you are saying. I mean, I've never even heard of you before..."

My remark was interrupted, immediately by a gasp from Emmy.

"Sorry," Emmy said, quickly," I had something caught in my throat."

I knew she was lying. Last term we spent a month on lies and masking situations.

"Anyway, Jessica, as you were saying," the Professor gestured for me to carry on.

"My apologies, Professor. But I don't see how I can help you," I said, keeping a straight face.

"Hmm, I certainly do see where you are coming from. My apologies, I didn't mean to come across as blunt," the Professor said, standing up and going over to his desk, where he retrieved a letter and handed it to me," Here, perhaps this will answer some of your questions."

I took the letter and read.

Dear Professor H. Layton,

The village of Pavolone was once a popular tourist attraction, due to a group of people, known as 'The Light Magic Circle.' This group of people, were also known as Magicians. People would travel miles to come to our village to see these magicians perform, but now our village is no longer safe enough to hold host to such many people.

A hundred years ago, a magician, named Cascarade Memerate Pavolone, founded our village and the forest that is nearby (Pavolone Forest). To celebrate the first anniversary of the village, Cascarade taught three brothers a series of tricks and secrets of the world of light magic and performed them to the crowds of people. Each brother taught their eldest son, the tricks before they passed on, so that the white magic circle could live on and the village's tradition, is that every year, on the village's anniversary, 'The Light Magic Circle' performs a trick which brings luck and goodness to the village.

However, four months ago, Cascarade Pavolone the fourth, the leader of 'The Light Magic Circle' and also the great, great grandson of the founder of our village and 'The Light Magic Circle', has gone mad. He has locked himself in the Pavolone Mansion and has shouted from the windows that he can hear the late Cascarade the first's voice in his head. He has told the village that his great great grandfather's spirit has sent a curse on the village and that on the village's one hundredth anniversary, the light magic will turn dark and the village will become cursed, forever.

I beg for your help, Professor Layton, as it seems you are the only one who can solve this crisis.

Yours sincerely, Crighton Danshrey, 'The Light Magic Circle'

"Umm, right," I said, unsure of what I was reading.

"It's a perplexing mystery isn't it," Professor Layton said.

"If it's real," I replied.

"What do you mean, Jessica? Why on earth would someone make up something like this?" Emmy exclaimed.

"Well, I don't believe in magic. Or curses," I answered.

"Neither do we, Jessica, but that's what makes it a mystery," Emmy said, in that isn't-it-obvious tone.

"Yes, well, I just don't see how I can be of any assistance in this 'mystery,'" I stated.

"Well, Jessica, as it said in the letter, Cascarade the fourth has gone mad and you studying psychology..." the Professor began.

"And so are 40 other students in this University," I protested.

"But you have also displayed a tremendous amount of talent and you are the only one which has done a course in drama," the Professor said.

"Yes, but what does my drama skills have to do with any of this?" I asked.

"I believe it may come in useful at one point," the Professor replied," Of course, Jessica it's your choice if you want to help, I just thought that it is a good thing to put on your CV when you finish University next year. But if you don't want too..."

"Wait, I didn't say that," I quickly, proved," I do want to help, believe it or not, but unfortunately I have a daughter who I need to tend to and I can't just leave a one year old alone in a flat for however long it is, can I now?"

I saw Emmy's eyes widen at this. Cow. Luke wasn't even listening and the Professor showed no shock to my comment. Or any reaction, I may as well have said I had bought a new pair of shoes (which was unlikely, even though I worked in a shoe shop and got a 40% discount, they were still expensive).

"Yes, I read that on your file. My cleaner, Rosa, said she'll gladly look after your child for you," the Professor replied.

I thought for a moment. I'd never left Cassidy alone for even one night, how could I go off and leave her with a stranger? Then again, this could help me when I apply for a PhD.

"Ok, fine, I'll help."

AN: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Or the prologue, whichever you prefer to call it.

Please review and I will definitely take on what you say and I will review your stories in turn!

Thank you all!